I was there for you when it was Clinton vs. Dole. I lost sleep and became anxious during “the Recount” in 2000. I was there for you when it was Corzine vs. Forrester. I even pull the lever for you when you are unopposed on my local town council. I give you my money. I am the “four out of the last four” who voted in the past four Republican primaries, and whom consultants and fundraisers treasure and target.

So I have a word to the wise among you: You are at risk of losing me.

This is a simple debate:

No one outside of the military and law enforcement needs a weapon that shoots as quickly as the semiautomatic rifle used in the Newtown, Conn., shootings. There is no other side. If you believe that there is constitutional right to ownership of these weapons of massacre, which I and most Americans do not, then move to amend the Constitution. Those 50 or so words are essentially the debate. It is not complicated. Issues of compensation and property rights can be worked out.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in you right now. The Sandy Hook Elementary School slayings make me so sad, I cry often. Your silence makes me so angry I want to scream. Where the heck are you? You cannot even get ahead of the National Rifle Association? Really?

Gender gap? You want to see a gender gap? Stay on the wrong side of this issue and not even Sarah Palin’s cousin Alice will vote for you. You will be a caucus of none.

Some of you may very well be sacrificed in Republican primaries next time around because of this. I am sorry. I will try to be with you and help you. Remember, though, that you are not the only sacrificial lambs in this — and at least you will be home for Christmas.

Twenty innocent young children and six hero teachers and administrators are gone. Like that. In an instant — a blink of an eye. In the time it takes a little girl to giggle. In the time it takes a young boy to give you a hug. In the time it takes a teacher to say “silence.”
Because a weapon that fires rapidly was in the hands of a monster.

I am listening. I am waiting to hear from you. There is no compromise in this. I will no longer be there for you if you do not act.

And a note of caution to my liberal Democrat friends: I do not want your pats on the back, your platitudes, your congratulatory e-mails. When you are ready to have a meaningful conversation about all innocent life; about the confiscation of wealth; about the burden of an entitlement society and its resultant debt you are visiting upon my grandchild, then we can talk.

Donald Sico is a former Burlington County Republican committeeman and served as chief of staff to two New Jersey Assembly speakers. He lives in Riverton.